Target thrower



June28, 1932. A, DI KERMAN 1 ,865,173

TARGET THROWER Filed July 16, 1928 Patented June 28, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics JOHN A. DICKERMAN, OF RENO,

NEVADA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN CARTRIDGE COM- TARGET THROWER Application filed July 16,

This invention pertains to hand target throwers, such as are used for throwing clay pigeons for practice in marksmanship.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a hand target thrower, with which an improved whipping action may be obtained in throwing the target.

Another object is to provide such a thrower, which is simple and economical to manufacture and efficient in operation.

Further objects will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a target thrower embodying this invention; and

Figure 2 is a detail view, showing the handle in flexed position.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates a carrier, which has mounted thereon in spaced relation thereto a rail 2, whose inner edge 3 runs parallel with the corresponding edge of the carrier 1. Pivoted at 4 on the carrier is an arm 5 having mounted at its free end a friction member 6 of rubber or other suitable material. The arm 5 carries a pin 7 working in a perforation 8 in the carrier 1 and engaged by a hook 9 tensioned by a spring 10 in any suitable manner.

The foregoing construction may be of any suitable well known type, and, as the details thereof are not involved in the present invention, further description will be unnecessary.

A rigid handle 11 is joined to the carrier 1 by a helical spring 12. The spring 12 is close w0und--that is, its successive turns are in close contact with one another. The lower end thereof is fitted on the end of the rigid handle 11 in any suitable manner, so as to be secure against being dislodged during the operation of the thrower. The spring 12 tapers toward its upper end, where it joins with the carrier. The spring has secured thereto at its upper end a head 13, which in turn is secured to the carrier 1 by rivets or other suitable fastenings.

A hand loop 14 of leather or other suitable material may be provided.

In using this device, the target is placed in the carrier 1 which is adapted to receive 1928. Serial No. 293,237.

and release the same in a well known manner. The handle 11 is grasped firmly near its end and the thrower is moved quickly from a rearward to a forward position with reference to the thrower. This movement is made with a whipping action so to flex the spring 12, as shown in Figure 2. The fleXure takes place during the forward swing. At the completion of the swing, the spring straightens itself out to the position of Figure 1, with a quick snap. This movement gives the target an additional impulse at the moment it is released from the carrier 1. Accordingly, the target will be thrown with increased energy so that a better flight may be obtained.

It will be noted that the spring 12 is semirigid in the position of Figure 1, so that considerable effort is necessary to deflect the spring from this position. This is due to the fact that the successive turns are drawn to ward one another, each one pivoting on the adjacent one so that a comparatively rigid fulcrum is obtained, against which the tension of each turn of the spring operates in returning the spring to its straight position. This feature provides the extra sharp whipping action which takes place at the end of a throw.

It will be seen, therefore, that this invention provides a target thrower, which has a flexible handle which gives as the throwing movement is begun and which quickly straightens with a snap at the completion of the movement. Accordingly, a strong whipping action is obtained with little effort on the part of the thrower. The tapering form of the spring 12 provides a smaller diameter at the carrier end and, therefore, an increased rigidity toward the handle end. This in sures a more uniform fiexure of the spring, this flexure increasing gradually from the handle toward the carrier end. This feature also improves the smoothness and energy of the whipping action.

It is obvious that various changes may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of this invention; it is, therefore, to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and/ or described.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A hand target thrower, comprising, a carrier adapted to receive and release the target, a stiff handle, and a helical spring having its axis extending longitudinally of said handle and joining said carrier with said handle, said spring tapering to a smaller diameter where it joins the carrier.

2. A hand target thrower, comprising, a

carrier adapted to receive and release the target, a stilt handle, and a close-wound helical spring oining said carrier with said handle, said spring having the diameter of its coils reduced between said carrier and said handle.

8. A hand target thrower, comprising, a target holder adapted to receive and release a target, and a handle therefor having a stiff portion extending the greater part of its length from the handle end toward said holder and an extended flexible portion formed of a helical spring axially alined with and shorter than said stiff portion and between said stiff portion and said holder.

4;. A hand target thrower, comprising a target holder adapted to receive and release a target, and a handle therefor having a stiff portion extending the greater part of its length from the handle end toward said holder and an extended flexible portion formed of a helical spring axially alined with and shorter than said stiff portion and between said stiff portion and said holder, said spring having the diameter of its coils reduced between said stifli' portion and said hold-er.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature this 1st day of June, 1928.

JOHN A. DICKERMAN. 

